1851.] Report on the Turan Mall Hill. 503 



present no camels can be taken further than the Bokrata jungle, which 

 is at the foot of this ghaut. Bullocks and ponies must be solely relied 

 upon as beasts of burthen. The route from Candesh via Sydah and 

 Sultanpura is far more difficult of ascent than the foregoing, and 

 beasts of burthen proceeding by this road, must be very lightly laden. 

 The paths leading towards Dhergaum and Baduel are only passable for 

 travellers on foot. Turan Mall seems to be about the highest of the 

 hills in the Satpiira range, perhaps the Herass Hill in the Barwani 

 state excepted, which may be a few hundred feet higher, but which 

 again has not the advantage of water on its summit. Turan Mall 

 obtains its name from the tree (Zizyphus albens) called in Sanscrit 

 " Turan" being so common there, and the adjunct " Mall" I believe 

 to be a word in use with certain Bheels, to designate any high or table 

 land. By barometrical measurement the highest point of Turan 

 Mall (a small hill on its eastern side) attains an altitude of 3373 feet ; 

 the banks of the lake being 265 feet below this. This lake is one of 

 the most attractive spots on Turan Mall, situated on the southern end, 

 the traveller from the Nerbudda has to pass over the whole length of 

 the hill ere he reaches it. It is about one mile and six furlongs in 

 circumference and 650 yards in breadth, of great depth, being fathomed 

 in the centre and found to be 34^ feet deep. It is formed by the 

 artificial obstruction of the gorge betwixt two small hills. At one end 

 of this embankment there is a passage for the waters of the periodical 

 rains, which are carried off towards a smaller lake, a few hundred yards 

 from the large one, and about 30 feet under its level. The flooded 

 waters of these two lakes are carried off to the Sita Kiind, a precipice 

 varying from 400 to 500 feet in height. At the water-fall, the first fall 

 by measurement is 243 feet in height, being perpendicular without let 

 or hindrance. The view at this place in the monsoon, during a flood 

 must be grand indeed, for the waters from the lakes and what is received 

 in transit, must make a very considerable volume. 



The jungles about the hill contain many varieties of trees and shrubs 

 which are not to be met with in Nimar or Malwa. To the botanist the 

 field here opened to his research would be most attractive and enter- 

 taining. The edible fruits generally met with and not common to the 

 plains are those of the Turan (Zizyphus albens) ; Chironji (Chiron- 

 gia sapida) ; kutaie^ a small red berry; sengul ; sasil ; the wild 



3 T 



